The "hypocrisy" of organized religion

  • Thread starter Thread starter Maxirad
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
M

Maxirad

Guest
What should I say to someone who complains bitterly about “the hypocrisy of organized religion”?
 
Last edited:
Remind them that Hypocrisy is not limited to religion. It’s human problem. Perhaps they can even see it in themselves if they look.
 
If they’re someone who is “spiritual but not religious,” you can remind them about Jesus’ teaching on the necessity of following hypocritical leaders: “Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice.” (Mt 23:1-3)
 
greenrangerx said:
If they’re someone who is “spiritual but not religious,” you can remind them about Jesus’ teaching on the necessity of following hypocritical leaders: “Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice.” (Mt 23:1-3
Click to expand...
I agree. If an evil man tells me the truth, its still the truth. I cannot stop being a Catholic just because the Pope has sinned. That is not reasonable. I use to get anxiety about the history of the Catholic church because it is claimed that much evil was done in its name by its leaders, but then i realized that it doesn’t change the fact that it is still the Church created by Jesus Christ and evil will not prevail against it. Even with all the sin of man the Church and it’s teachings have not collapsed. The Authority of the Catholic Church is still legitimate.

The protestant movement was never justified.
 
Last edited:
Ask them what they think the word “hypocrisy” means, perhaps?
 
Last edited:
It’s wonderful you cited that passage. A lot of people don’t seem to recognize or know the real reason why Jesus was so critical of them.
 
I would quote Saint Paul who said, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” (Rom 10:11, NAB)
And then if I was given a chance I would profess the meaning from the Angelic Doctor: “for the Scripture, namely Isaiah, says: whosoever believes in him with living faith shall not be confounded (Isa 28:16), i.e., as lacking salvation: you who fears the Lord, believe him, and your reward shall not be made void (Sir 2:8).” (Rom, C. 10, L. 2, 833)

But if it was only one on one, I might walk away. For it is written, “Give not that which is holy to dogs; neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turning upon you, they tear you.” (Mt 7:6)

“Protect and defend the soul of Thy poor servant, amidst the many dangers of this corruptible life, and direct him in the company of Thy grace, through the way of peace, to the country of everlasting light. Amen.” (Imitation of Christ, 3, 59, 4: Confraternity of the Precious Blood translation)
 
Last edited:
I have had more lapsed Catholic friends/aquaintances use the “hypocrite, corruption” excuse so many times. The worst of it is when they say this in front of young people at the formative stage. Your explanation is clear and concise, and I’ll be borrowing for it the next one. Thank-you
 
It is easier to explain if they give examples of the hypocrisy, so that we can narrow down the discussion. I’d ask what’s the hypocrisy that they object to.

God bless.
 
Whenever you point the finger and say hypocrite, remember three fingers are pointing back at you.
 
Maxirad said:
What should I say to someone who complains bitterly about “the hypocrisy of organized religion”?
Click to expand...
They are all made up of very imperfect people.

In general these people are much better people because of their association with religion, which challenges them to be better people, though they frequently fail.
 
We are all hypocrites. Just some of us are better at hiding it than others.
 
I imagine that a number of people would point to Deliver Us from Evil (2006) as a documentary about the “hypocrisy” of organized religion. It doesn’t help that said documentary quotes from the Gospel of Thomas, which is absent from the Bible.
 
I would say “The Catholic Church runs over 5300 hospitals, over 18000 clinics, over 17000 homes for old people and the terminally ill and handicapped, and 9,800 orphanages around the world. What are all the people in the world who are complaining about hypocrisy in organized religion doing?”
 
Last edited:
Why do you need to say anything? Be comfortable in your own skin, but don’t be inclined to suggest others wear it.
 
greenrangerx said:
If they’re someone who is “spiritual but not religious,” you can remind them about Jesus’ teaching on the necessity of following hypocritical leaders:
Click to expand...
If they don’t believe in Jesus, that is going to go no where, fast.
 
KATRINA_68 said:
have had more lapsed Catholic friends/aquaintances use the “hypocrite, corruption” excuse so many times
Click to expand...
I would suggest the charitable thing to do is accept what they tell you as their truth (as in, what they honestly believe}. To suggest they have just fabricated things as an excuse is unkind and not a path to understanding.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top